Opinion-Editorial Assignment

Due date: ______

You will be writing an Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) article about what ethically defensible government policies should be put into place to address the issue of selecting human embryos for specific characteristics, including so-called ‘saviour siblings.’

You will be required to write a persuasive essay in which you will defend your position on this issue using examples and evidence. Don’t forget to give your piece a title that will grab the reader’s attention.

Keep in mind that a good Op-Ed article

  • Has a clearly expressed position on the issue
  • Engages the reader
  • Is written in clear, simple language and structure
  • Acknowledges potential counterarguments, but refutes them
  • Is written with a polite and respectful tone

The Op-Ed article will be a maximum of one page (250 words) in length and must be typed (12 pt, 1.5 line spacing).

Below are some examples of stem cell-related Op-Ed articles.

  • These Cures are no Longer Science Fiction (Accessed May 21, 2014)

This editorial in The Globe and Mail first published June 16, 2011, which argues in favour of stem cell research was written by Robert McEwen, the co-founder of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University Health Network in Toronto.

  • A Middle Ground for Stem Cells(Accessed May 21, 2014)

This editorial in The New York Times first published on January 19, 2007, argues in support of the George W. Bush administration’s policies regarding embryonic stem cell research.

  • Stem Cell Research Gets a Reprieve(Accessed May 21, 2014)

This editorial in The New York Times first published on January 20, 2013, discusses the ending of the lawsuit by the US Supreme Court against federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

For more details about this assignment, see the Opinion-Editorial Rubric on the other side of this page.

Opinion-Editorial Rubric

Name: ______Date: ______

Level 1

The student: / Level 2
The student: / Level 3
The student: / Level 4
The student:
Knowledge and Understanding
Understanding of science concepts (i.e., Use of stem cells to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) / Understanding of science concepts (i.e., Use of stem cells to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) / Understanding of science concepts (i.e., Use of stem cells to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) / Understanding of science concepts (i.e., Use of stem cells to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) / Understanding of science concepts (i.e., Use of stem cells to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)
Communication
Use of creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies (i.e., constructs an Op-Ed that is interesting and original) / Use of creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies (i.e., constructs an Op-Ed that is interesting and original) / Use of creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies (i.e., constructs an Op-Ed that is interesting and original) / Use of creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies (i.e., constructs an Op-Ed that is interesting and original) / Use of creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies (i.e., constructs an Op-Ed that is interesting and original)
Expression and organization of ideas and information (i.e., Op-Ed is focused, informative and information is presented clearly) / Expression and organization of ideas and information (i.e., Op-Ed is focused, informative and information is presented clearly) / Expression and organization of ideas and information (i.e., Op-Ed is focused, informative and information is presented clearly) / Expression and organization of ideas and information (i.e., Op-Ed is focused, informative and information is presented clearly) / Expression and organization of ideas and information (i.e., Op-Ed is focused, informative and information is presented clearly)
Communication for the purpose of persuasion (i.e., the Op-Ed piece argues effectively for a given point) / Communication for the purpose of persuasion (i.e., the Op-Ed piece argues effectively for a given point) / Communication for the purpose of persuasion (i.e., the Op-Ed piece argues effectively for a given point) / Communication for the purpose of persuasion (i.e., the Op-Ed piece argues effectively for a given point) / Communication for the purpose of persuasion (i.e., the Op-Ed piece argues effectively for a given point)
Respectful communication (i.e., tone is polite and respectful) / Respectful communication (i.e., tone is polite and respectful) / Respectful communication (i.e., tone is polite and respectful) / Respectful communication (i.e., tone is polite and respectful) / Respectful communication (i.e., tone is polite and respectful)